Healthy As A Mother

What if hormone imbalances aren’t just physical?

In this episode, we sit down with women’s health and hormone coach Sam “The Hormone Goddess” to explore the deeper emotional, nervous system, and societal roots behind so many women’s health struggles.

We dive into the connection between trauma, stress, suppressed anger, feminine energy, and hormone health, and why so many women feel disconnected from their bodies in modern culture.

From painful periods and burnout to nervous system dysregulation and people-pleasing, this conversation unpacks the hidden layers influencing women’s health and healing.

We also discuss female rage, womb work, joy, pleasure, circadian rhythm, somatic healing, and what it actually means to reconnect with yourself as a woman.

If you’ve ever struggled with PMS, anxiety, exhaustion, hormone imbalances, fertility challenges, or feeling disconnected from your body, this episode is for you.

00:00 Intro + Trailer
01:36 Meet Samantha Hadadi
01:56 Sam’s Hormone Healing Journey
04:46 Trauma, Stress & Hormone Imbalances
05:51 Why Women Aren’t Taught About Their Bodies
07:36 Shame Around Periods & Womanhood
08:46 Why Society Fears Women’s Power
13:41 Female Anger & Hormonal Health
17:36 Suppressed Anger, Liver Health & Hormones
20:56 Somatic Practices for Releasing Anger
23:56 Trauma Release & Emotional Processing
25:51 The Healing Power of Movement & Community
26:46 Nervous System & Hormone Connection
29:56 Trauma, Stress & Women’s Health
32:16 Root Causes of Hormonal Imbalances
36:06 What Is Womb Work?
40:16 The Missing Piece in Hormone Healing
40:46 Joy, Pleasure & Feminine Energy
42:36 Productivity Culture & Women’s Health
47:36 Healing Through Dance & Movement
50:06 Hormones as Messengers
51:36 Reconnecting to Your Authentic Self
52:41 Final Message for Women
54:26 Supporting the Next Generation of Girls
57:36 Where to Find Sam

Resources From This Episode:
Dr. Leah's Womanhood Wellness Membership
Follow Samantha on Instagram

Healthy As A Mother Podcast | YouTube
Healthy As A Mother Podcast | Instagram
Healthy As A Mother Podcast | TikTok
Healthy As A Mother Podcast | Merch Store

Find more from Dr. Leah:
Dr. Leah Gordon | Instagram
Dr. Leah Gordon | Website
Womanhood Wellness | Website

Find more from Dr. Morgan:
Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Instagram
Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Website

Use code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 10% at Earthley
Use code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 15% at Redmond
For 20% off your first order at Needed, use code HEALTHYMOTHER
Save $260 at Lumebox, use code HEALTHYASAMOTHER
Use code HAAM and save 10% at Fond

Birth preparation is often focused on the physical side of labor, including breathing techniques, birth positions, and what to expect during delivery. But for many women planning an unmedicated birth, the biggest factor influencing their experience is not physical at all.

In this episode, we explore birth mindset and how your mental and emotional state can impact labor, pain perception, and your overall birth experience. If you are preparing for an unmedicated birth, learning how to shift from control into surrender may be one of the most important skills you develop.

We discuss how modern culture conditions women to fear birth and how those beliefs can show up during labor. We also explore why high-achieving and type-A women often struggle more during birth, not because they are unprepared, but because they are wired to rely on control in situations that require trust and surrender.

You will learn how mindset influences the body’s natural ability to give birth, including the role of stress, fear, and the nervous system. We also introduce the concept of the "birth goddess" and explain how understanding the intuitive process of labor can completely change the birth experience.

This episode also unpacks the balance between preparation and surrender, and how your environment, support system, and energy in the room can either support or disrupt labor.

0:00 - Trailer and Introduction
1:55 - Why Birth Mindset Is Overlooked
3:00 - How Culture Creates Fear Around Birth
5:00 - Birth Is Mental and Physical
7:00 - Why We Fear Pain
9:00 - The Missing Rite of Passage in Modern Birth
11:00 - Birth as Transformation
13:00 - Why Control Makes Birth Harder
15:00 - The Birth Goddess Concept
18:00 - Surrender vs Control
21:00 - Preparation vs Surrender
24:00 - Why Knowledge Still Matters
27:00 - The Role of Your Support Team
30:00 - What a Spiritual Epidural Means
34:00 - How Environment Affects Labor
38:00 - Why High Achievers Struggle More
42:00 - Masculine and Feminine Energy in Labor
46:00 - Trust and Letting Go
50:00 - Rewiring Beliefs About Birth
55:00 - Preparing for the Unexpected
58:00 - Staying Grounded When Plans Change

Resources From This Episode:
Dr. Morgan's Pregnancy Call Lessons
Healthy As A Mother Epidurals Episode
Labor Like A Goddess book
Rent Tent book

Healthy As A Mother Podcast | YouTube
Healthy As A Mother Podcast | Instagram
Healthy As A Mother Podcast | TikTok
Healthy As A Mother Podcast | Merch Store

Find more from Dr. Leah:
Dr. Leah Gordon | Instagram
Dr. Leah Gordon | Website
Womanhood Wellness | Website

Find more from Dr. Morgan:
Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Instagram
Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Website

Use code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 15% at Redmond
For 20% off your first order at Needed, use code HEALTHYMOTHER
Save $260 at Lumebox, use code HEALTHYASAMOTHER
Use code HAAM and save 10% at Fond

Birth preparation is often focused on the physical side of labor, breathing techniques, birth positions, and what to expect during delivery. But for many women planning an unmedicated birth, the biggest factor influencing their experience isn’t physical at all.

In this episode, we dive into birth mindset and explore how your mental and emotional state can directly impact labor, pain perception, and your overall birth experience. If you’re preparing for an unmedicated birth, understanding how to shift from control into surrender may be one of the most important skills you develop.

We break down how modern culture subtly conditions women to fear birth, and how those beliefs can show up in the delivery room. We also explore why high-achieving, type-A women often have a more difficult time during labor, not because they aren’t prepared, but because they’ve been wired to rely on control in situations that require the opposite.

You’ll learn how mindset influences your body’s natural ability to give birth, including the role of stress, fear, and your nervous system. We also introduce the concept of the “birth goddess”, a way to understand the physiological and intuitive process happening during labor, and how learning to trust that process can change everything.

This episode also unpacks the paradox of birth preparation: why you need both knowledge and surrender, and how to balance the two. We discuss how your environment, support system, and energy in the room can either support or disrupt the natural progression of labor. If you’re preparing for birth and want to feel calmer, more confident, and more in control of your experience, without actually trying to control the process, this conversation will completely reframe how you approach labor.

0:00 — Trailer + Introduction
1:55 — Why Birth Mindset Is So Overlooked
3:00 — How Culture Programs Fear Around Birth
5:00 — Birth Is a Mental Game (Not Just Physical)
7:00 — Why We Fear Pain (But Celebrate It in Other Areas)
9:00 — The Lack of “Rite of Passage” in Modern Birth
11:00 — Birth as Transformation (Not Just an Event)
13:00 — Why Control Makes Birth Harder
15:00 — The “Birth Goddess” Concept Explained
18:00 — Surrender vs Control (The Bus Analogy)
21:00 — Preparation vs Surrender Paradox
24:00 — Why Knowledge Still Matters in Birth
27:00 — Your Support Team = Your Protection System
30:00 — What a “Spiritual Epidural” Really Means
34:00 — How Environment Affects Labor (Hospital vs Home)
38:00 — Why High Achievers Struggle More in Birth
42:00 — Masculine vs Feminine Energy in Labor
46:00 — The Role of Trust + Letting Go
50:00 — Identity Work + Rewiring Your Beliefs About Birth
55:00 — Preparing for the Unexpected (Without Fear)
58:00 — How to Stay Grounded Even if Plans Change

Resources From This Episode:
Dr. Morgan's Pregnancy Call Lessons
Healthy As A Mother Epidural Episode
Labor Like A Goddess book
Rent Tent book

Healthy As A Mother Podcast | YouTube
Healthy As A Mother Podcast | Instagram
Healthy As A Mother Podcast | TikTok
Healthy As A Mother Podcast | Merch Store

Find more from Dr. Leah:
Dr. Leah Gordon | Instagram
Dr. Leah Gordon | Website
Womanhood Wellness | Website

Find more from Dr. Morgan:
Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Instagram
Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Website

Use code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 15% at Redmond
For 20% off your first order at Needed, use code HEALTHYMOTHER
Save $260 at Lumebox, use code HEALTHYASAMOTHER
Use code HAAM and save 10% at Fond

Detoxing before pregnancy is one of the most misunderstood topics in the health space. In this episode, we break down what detox actually means in the body, why it matters for fertility, and how to approach it safely without creating more harm than good.

You’ll learn how toxins impact hormones, ovulation, and pregnancy, and why your body’s ability to eliminate toxins matters more than simply “detoxing.”

We also walk through the most important systems involved in detoxification including the liver, lymphatic system, and organs of elimination, plus the biggest mistakes people make when trying to detox while actively trying to conceive.

If you’ve ever wondered whether you should detox before pregnancy, this episode gives you a clear, realistic framework.

0:00 Trailer & Introduction
2:44 What Is a Toxin? Internal vs. External Explained
6:27 Endocrine Disruptors & Their Impact on Fertility
7:55 The Overflowing Sink Analogy 8:51 Why Some People Can "Get Away With" Anything (Genetics & Drain)
11:43 Epigenetics — Why You & Your Grandma Are Different
13:29 The 3-Part Detox Framework: Faucet, Drain & Liver 13:58 The Knife Factory Analogy (How Your Liver Works)
14:52 The Poop Train & Pee Train Explained
17:44 Critical Rule: No Active Detox During Your Two-Week Wait
21:51 Ideal Timeline: 3–6 Months Before Trying to Conceive
24:12 Step 1 — Getting Your Organs of Elimination Working (Poop, Pee, Sweat)
26:31 Sauna & Sweating: When It's Safe & When to Stop
29:17 The Sperm Factor — Why Men Need to Stop Sauna 3 Months Early
30:41 The Lymph System — Trash in New York City Analogy
31:46 Dry Brushing, Rebounders & Vibration Plates
36:35 Breast Massage & Electrolymphatic Drainage
38:27 The Liver Deep Dive: Phase 1 vs. Phase 2 Detox
41:13 Cruciferous Vegetables, DIM & Food-Based Liver Support
42:37 Key Herbs: Dandelion, Burdock, Milk Thistle, Artichoke
47:18 What Liver Enzymes on Blood Work Actually Tell You (And What They Don't)
48:52 Bile, Gallbladder Health & Bitter Herbs
53:20 Castor Oil Packs — How, When & Where
56:57 The Nervous System as a Detox Organ
58:55 Social Media, News & EMFs as "Energetic Toxins"
60:51 Protecting Yourself From Information Overload During TTC
62:59 The Energetic Sink: Why Some People Spiral & Others Don't
70:29 Boundaries With News & Social Media in the Preconception Window
74:05 How to Go Deeper: Courses, Membership & Working with a Practitioner

Resources From This Episode:
Dr. Leah's Womanhood Wellness Membership
Liver Sauce
The Toxin Solution by Dr. Joe Pizzorno
Healthy As A Mother Episode #161 - Boundaries In Motherhood
Healthy As A Mother Episode #22 - Detoxing Before Pregnancy

Healthy As A Mother Podcast | YouTube
Healthy As A Mother Podcast | Instagram
Healthy As A Mother Podcast | TikTok
Healthy As A Mother Podcast | Merch Store

Find more from Dr. Leah:
Dr. Leah Gordon | Instagram
Dr. Leah Gordon | Website
Womanhood Wellness | Website

Find more from Dr. Morgan:
Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Instagram
Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Website

Use code HAAM and save 10% at Fond
Use code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 15% at Redmond
For 20% off your first order at Needed, use code HEALTHYMOTHER
Save $260 at Lumebox, use code HEALTHYASAMOTHER

What if the tension you feel in motherhood isn’t about your decisions… but about your boundaries?

In this episode, we break down one of the most overlooked skills women need to navigate pregnancy, birth, and early motherhood: setting boundaries with family, friends, and outside opinions.

From pressure around home birth to unsolicited advice from parents and in-laws, this conversation unpacks why boundaries feel so hard, what they actually are (and aren’t), and how to confidently take your power back without damaging your relationships.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by opinions, pressure, or expectations around motherhood… this episode will shift how you see it.

00:00 Trailer & Introduction
01:33 Why Boundaries in Motherhood Feel So Hard
02:54 What a Boundary Actually Is (and What It’s Not)
06:42 Why Most Women Misunderstand Boundaries
07:38 The Power of Controlling Your Response (Not Others)
09:22 Real-Life Example of Healthy Boundaries
11:07 Why Boundaries Protect Relationships (Not Damage Them)
13:37 Should You Communicate Boundaries Ahead of Time?
16:29 Handling Strong Disagreements (Vaccines, Parenting Choices)
18:24 Why Parents Struggle to Let Go of Control
21:16 What Happens When You Set Boundaries for the First Time
22:36 Why Consistency Is Everything
24:48 Becoming a “New Version” of Yourself in Relationships
28:40 Communication Frameworks That Actually Work
30:10 Birth Choices and Family Pressure Explained
33:26 Real Story: Shifting Beliefs Around Home Birth
34:51 How to Respond to Extreme Pushback
37:43 Who Gets to Be at Your Birth (and Who Doesn’t)
41:30 How to Communicate Firm Boundaries Clearly
44:46 Why Waiting for Birth Can Create Stress
48:37 Postpartum Boundaries and Baby Handling
51:38 Scripts for Setting Boundaries Respectfully
53:18 Why Women Struggle with Boundaries More Than Men
56:30 The Deeper Root: Fear of Rejection and Losing Connection
57:37 The Role of Intuition and Safety (Gift of Fear Insight)
01:00:00 Final Thoughts: Boundaries as Empowerment

Resources Mentioned In This Episode:
Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life: Life-Changing Tools for Healthy Relationships
Home Birth Stats
The Gift of Fear: And Other Survival Signals That Protect Us from Violence
Dr. Morgan's Pregnancy Call Lessons

Healthy As A Mother Podcast | YouTube
Healthy As A Mother Podcast | Instagram
Healthy As A Mother Podcast | TikTok
Healthy As A Mother Podcast | Merch Store

Find more from Dr. Leah:
Dr. Leah Gordon | Instagram
Dr. Leah Gordon | Website
Womanhood Wellness | Website

Find more from Dr. Morgan:
Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Instagram
Dr. Morgan MacDermott | Website

Use code HAAM and save 10% at Fond
Use code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 15% at Redmond
For 20% off your first order at Needed, use code HEALTHYMOTHER
Save $260 at Lumebox, use code HEALTHYASAMOTHER